Deneen, Kearney wrap up spots on Oly moguls team

Defending moguls world champion Patrick Deneen and World Cup titlist Hannah Kearney have won Olympic trials to earn spots on the U.S. freestyle team.

Deneen scored 26.68 points Wednesday to edge out Jeremy Cota for the automatic spot. Kearney scored 26.30 to top Emiko Torito on a snowy day at Steamboat ski resort.

Kearney already had a first-place finish on the World Cup this season, which made her a near lock for the team. But the only spots guaranteed before the final selection in January were handed out Wednesday, and she earned it.

Deneen's main competition was expected to come from Nate Roberts and Bryon Wilson, but both fell midway through their final runs, leaving Cota in second place.